This Day In History: August 8, 1775 “They are remarkably stout and hardy men; many of them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed in white frocks, or rifle-shirts, and round hats. These men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim; striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred yards distance. At a review, a company of […]
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In this episode, you’re going to learn about the extreme controversy currently surrounding whether those with high blood pressure should be concerned at all about their salt intake. You’re also going to learn the results of a 2011 Cochrane Review that perhaps should begin to put the issue to bed, but for some reason most health organizations making recommendations on […]
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During the early years of the Victorian era, an imposing figure dressed in black terrorized the English countryside almost unchallenged. According to eyewitness accounts, this specter had bulging, red eyes, pointy ears and razor-sharp metal claws. He would materialize to attack unsuspecting victims, and when townsfolk gave chase, easily outmaneuvered them by effortlessly jumping over high fences and hedgerows to […]
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Pirates murdered, pillaged, raped, stole, and generally made the lives of others who stood in their way terrible. But despite these facts, books and, more recently, Hollywood have glamorized the “swashbuckler on the high seas.” In the process, a lot of fiction has been attached to the pirate mythos. For example, the rumor that pirates commonly made people walk the plank […]
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This Day In History: August 7, 1782 The Purple Heart was created by George Washington to honor merit, especially in the case of enlisted solders, as the Continental Congress rejected his request to grant commissions and promotions in ranks based on merit. Yet Washington firmly believed meritorious action should be acknowledged, and on August 7, 1782, he issued an order […]
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In this episode, you’re going to learn the fascinating story about a breakout modern artist… who ultimately turned out to be a chimpanzee. [TRANSCRIPT] Don’t miss future episodes of this podcast, subscribe here: iTunes | RSS/XML You can also find more episodes by going here: Daily Knowledge Podcast
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Guy C. asks: I live in America and was just wondering how far below and above my land do I own? On paper, the concept of land ownership sounds very simple- you pay money and in return you’re given unfettered access to a predetermined amount of land. But how much of that land do you actually own? Do you own […]
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This Day In History: August 6, 1890 “I would rather see ten hangings than one such execution as this. In fact I never care to witness such a scene again. It was fearful. No humane man could witness it without the keenest agony.” – Deputy Coroner Jenkins of New York On August 6, 1890, murderer William Kemmler became the first […]
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In this episode, you’re going to learn about the inspiration for the Graham cracker and just what the inventor was trying to rid the world of when he made it. [TRANSCRIPT] Don’t miss future episodes of this podcast, subscribe here: iTunes | RSS/XML You can also find more episodes by going here: Daily Knowledge Podcast
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Moths, beetles and flies all get caught in spider webs, but you almost never see a spider unable to extricate herself from one. Here’s why. The Web When a spider makes an orb web, each line is actually comprised of at least two or more threads, and in fact, the supporting threads, radiating spokes and hub are all made from […]
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On May 18, 1926, Aimee Semple McPherson went for a swim in the Pacific Ocean at Venice Beach. An avid swimmer, Aimee loved to escape from her temple in Echo Park for a quick dip in the ocean. She was dropped off by her secretary, who then left to do errands. When the secretary returned, McPherson wasn’t on the beach […]
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This Day In History: August 5, 1962 In the early morning hours of August 5, 1962, legendary screen goddess Marilyn Monroe was found dead in the bedroom of her Los Angeles home at the age of 36. From the moment her body was discovered, her death became as much of a media circus as most of her life had been, […]
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In this episode of the podcast, you’re going to learn about Wilmer McLean and how his back yard and parlor played a pivotal role in the beginning and end of the American Civil War. You’re also going to learn why certain coins have ridges and others don’t. [TRANSCRIPT: The Civil War and Wilmer McLean | Why Certain Coins Have Ridges] […]
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David G. asks: Why do people yawn? Do other animals do this too? Babies, dogs, cats, birds, mice, rats and even snakes yawn, and some of us were even doing it in the womb. Although for thousands of years the reason has remained elusive, recent scholarship may have uncovered the truth as to why we yawn. Physiology of Yawning When […]
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Nathan K. asks: Why is Notre Dame’s slogan “Fighting Irish”? When the green and blue uniformed athletes of the University of Notre Dame run on to the field or court, their fans are rooting for the “Fighting Irish.” Represented by a small green leprechaun- hat tilted with his fists up, ready to fight- the athletic teams of this South Bend, […]
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This Day In History: August 4, 1892 Lizzie Borden took an axe, And gave her mother forty whacks; When she saw what she had done, She gave her father forty-one. Most people know this rhyme about Lizzie Borden, but far fewer know the fact that she was acquitted of any crime. (The “whack” count is also over-stated, but we’ll get […]
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This is a weekly wrap of our Daily Knowledge Newsletter. You can get that newsletter for free here. Why Does Chemotherapy Make Your Hair Fall Out? Most cells in the human body divide using a process called mitosis. This process has 5 phases (prophase, prometaphase, metaphase, anaphase, and telephase). It is preceded by interphase, and results in the cell dividing, […]
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In this episode, you’re going to learn what the song the “Purple People Eater” and arguably the most famous scream of all time, used in over 200 major motion pictures (the Wilhelm Scream), have in common. [TRANSCRIPT] As mentioned in the episode, if you’re interested in getting your phone to do the Wilhelm Scream anytime it’s tossed, you can get […]
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